19.
Oh, God! (Carl Reiner, 1977) 7/10 (rewatch)
Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge
Not sure if I should count Carl Reiner as an actor who also directed films and TV shows or was he more of a show-runner and director + an occasional actor?
I will allow him this once, simply because I want to share my admiration for this sweet sweet film. I've seen
Oh, God! when I was a kid, along with its second sequel
Oh, God! You Devil. So it holds a special place and gives me nostalgic feelings. Featuring a comedy legend George Burns and a popular musician John Denver this is a great story about a guy who was chosen by God to spread a message about his existence and a call to be optimistic about the future. I'm not a religious type, but this film plays great with both satirizing the overly prudent religious zealots and fake prophets and also calls for respect of one's beliefs. All around, a beautifully directed old style comedy that's worthy of repeat viewings, if only for that warm smile of George Burns. I still need to watch the first sequel
Oh, God! Book II.
20.
Panic In Year Zero! (Ray Milland, 1962) 5/10
Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge
Roger Corman once said about the making of this film: "
Ray Milland wasn't organized enough to act and direct at the same time". I kind of agree with Corman here. Milland directed plenty of films and this is only the first one I saw, but I can tell that in more demanding scenes, his directorial touch is very slight and rather pedestrian. However, there is enough excitement in the story and how it unfolds, so it never becomes dull or boring. Some great locations + black and white photography makes it, at least, a memorable watch and gives food for thought about personal choices and decisions if such catastrophe ever occurred (I sure hope it doesn't!).
21.
Practical Magic (Griffin Dunne, 1998) 4/10
Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge
A major disappointment, especially given how much I love all the main actresses. I mean, Nicole Kidman, Sandra Bullock, Dianne Wiest and Stockard Channing. One would at least hope that these acting greats are allowed to showcase their talents and encouraged to try and steal scenes from each other. However, that's not entirely the case. Directed by Griffin Dunne (from
After Hours) this is a very chaotic film, completely unsure of its tone or destination. A lot of scenes would end up being cut by a stricter editor. But when a script is so empty, it would probably end up a short film instead that way. Male actors are all pretty much forgettable right after the credits roll. The only reason I haven't rated it even lower - there are still glimmers of pure joy of seeing these amazing actresses play and charm their way around the superstitious little town in New England.
22.
A Quiet Place Part II (John Krasinski, 2020) 7/10
Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge
A rare case when a sequel is considerably better than the original. I wasn't a fan of the first one, but this time around John Krasinski is capable to showcase his talent for capturing a distraught and dangerous situations with clinical precision and well thought-out story-line. It's both visually and dramatically engaging and tells a story of survival in alien-infested world. Not sure if Cillian Murphy was given enough space to employ his acting chops, but I have no complaints about the cast - everyone did a fine job and made the story constraints (
don't make noise) believable and tense. I'm looking forward to watching the prequel film
A Quiet Place: Day One and any sequels if they ever get made.
23.
The Milagro Beanfield War (Robert Redford, 1988) 5/10
Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge
A mediocre effort from Redford. A simple truth would be that this is a film that contains more stories when necessary and wastes a strong central line that could have led to a more engaging outcome. In turn, this feels like a variety of cameos glued together and bonded by rural New Mexico landscape with a touch of magical realism. On the positive side, one can easily feel the love Redford holds to the novel, its ideals and morals. You can't help but feel sympathy for the locals who fight the land developers and try to maintain their way of life. Carlos Riquelme and Rubén Blades deserve accolades for their passionate performances.
24.
Final (Campbell Scott, 2001) 4/10
Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge
A film I searched for a long time, and, finally, got it thanks to our fellow forum member Tim! Thanks, Tim!
It sure is a tiny budget film, but it's misgivings have more to do with the way the story is told, rather than how much it is limited by the shortage of funds. I just couldn't engage with Denis Leary and his acting. He plays a confused patient at Sumner hospital who awakens after a long time and is kept locked in a room and observed by a medical staff, mainly one doctor, played by the great actress Hope Davis who constantly brings this tired and sleepy film to life. The third act manages to save the film a bit and I could see it getting a remake. With a more carefully crafted ideas, this premise could deliver a captivating and tense film or I could also see a modern mini-series giving this story a go.
25.
The Invention of Lying (Ricky Gervais, Matthew Robinson, 2009) 6/10
Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge
Ricky Gervais -
a distributor of hate, maybe second only to the originator and the true OG - Don Rickles. Here he lives in a world where no one lies. In fact, no one is even capable of concocting a single line that isn't true. Until the moment Gervais' character upends this obstacle and tells the world's first lie. A brilliant premise that gives an open field to play with. Like a warm, ready-to-work clay, filmmakers have the unlimited territory to move around and invent.
The path they have chosen is, rather, a safe one. A romantic arc is a bet you can't totally lose. Even those, who are critical of the premise are given a cliche and classic love story while others can enjoy a pointy satire of religion and, sometimes, ridiculous convictions and superstitions. I understand where people see the failures of this film, but maybe I was more forgiving and, simply, in the right mood for it, but it worked for the most part, even when, as I already pointed-out, everything was paper-thin and
on the nose.
1. Escanaba in da Moonlight (Jeff Daniels, 2001) 6/10 Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge
2. A Smoky Mountain Christmas (Henry Winkler, 1986) 5/10 Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge
3. Idaho Transfer (Peter Fonda, 1973) 2/10 Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge
4. Slipstream (Anthony Hopkins, 2007) 7/10 Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge
5. Vice Versa (Peter Ustinov, 1948) 7/10 Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge
6. TekWar (William Shatner, 1994) 3/10 Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge
7. The Legend of Bagger Vance (Robert Redford, 2000) 8/10 Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge
8. Ghost Dad (Sidney Poitier, 1990) 4/10 Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge
9. Lost River (Ryan Gosling, 2014) 4/10 Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge
10. Human Highway (Dean Stockwell, Neil Young, 1982) 7/10 Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge
11. What Is It? (Crispin Glover, 2005) 1/10 Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge
12. Matilda (Danny DeVito, 1996) 8/10 Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge
13. Charlie's Ghost Story (Anthony Edwards, 1995) 6/10 Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge
14. Light of My Life (Casey Affleck, 2019) 7/10 Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge
15. Rainbow (Bob Hoskins, 1995) 3/10 Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge
16. Unicorn Store (Brie Larson, 2017) 6/10 Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge
17. The Tin Soldier (Jon Voight, Gregory Gieras, 1995) 2/10 Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge
18. The Red Sneakers (Gregory Hines, 2002) 4/10 Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge
19. Oh, God! (Carl Reiner, 1977) 7/10 (rewatch) Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge
20. Panic In Year Zero! (Ray Milland, 1962) 5/10 Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge
21. Practical Magic (Griffin Dunne, 1998) 4/10 Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge
22. A Quiet Place Part II (John Krasinski, 2020) 7/10 Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge
23. The Milagro Beanfield War (Robert Redford, 1988) 5/10 Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge
24. Final (Campbell Scott, 2001) 4/10 Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge
25. The Invention of Lying (Ricky Gervais, Matthew Robinson, 2009) 6/10 Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge
